Popular brain supplement linked to shorter lifespan in men
A large-scale study from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia suggests that high levels of the amino acid tyrosine are linked to a shorter lifespan in men. While the study highlights a potential biological difference in aging between sexes, researchers caution that further investigation is required.
Why it matters
Understanding the role of specific amino acids in longevity could eventually influence dietary guidelines and health interventions for aging populations.
A large study involving more than 270,000 people suggests that one common amino acid may be tied to how long men live.
Researchers led by Jie V. Zhao, Yitang Sun, Junmeng Zhang, and Kaixiong Ye from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia examined whether phenylalanine and tyrosine, two amino acids involved in metabolism and brain function, are connected to lifespan (lifespan). Their results point to a notable difference between men and women. Higher tyrosine levels were associated with shorter life expectancy in men, while no significant effect was detected in women.
The findings could eventually help scientists better understand why aging and longevity differ between the sexes, although much more research is needed before the results can be translated into health recommendations.
The research was published in Aging-US titled "The role of phenylalanine and tyrosine in longevity: a cohort and Mendelian randomization study."
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